Harold Webb has resigned his seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, leaving the county Democratic party the chance to appoint a successor to serve until Webb's term expires in 2012.

Webb, 85, had served on the board since 2003, but had a stroke last year that limited his ability to express himself.

"Someone will replace me in the next two or three weeks," Webb said today.

Because of the timing of Webb's resignation, the Wake County Democratic party's executive committee will have the opportunity to appoint a replacement, said Cherie Poucher, director of the Wake Board of Elections.

thomas.goldsmith@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8929